Q. The European Commission (EC) has published The Falsified Medicines Directive (Directive 2011/62/EU). What elements are
covered by this directive and how does it affect the pharmaceutical industry?
Siegfried Schmitt
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A.This directive covers three items, namely safety features (common logo provisions), Internet supply of medicines, and quality
of imported APIs. There are differing timelines for these elements to become effective. The first one is the provision on
imported APIs, which comes into effect July 1, 2013. The directive applies to any imported active ingredient.
Q. Is it sufficient to assure that the API was manufactured to GMPs (e.g., in accordance with 21 CFR Parts 210 and 211)?
A. Unfortunately, no. The new prerequisite is that the API must have been manufactured in accordance with GMP that is equivalent
to that of the European Union. Such proof requires either a GMP certificate from an EU National Competent Authority (NCA),
a "conformity of equivalence" statement from the authority of the non-EU country, or a positive assessment (white-listing)
by the EC that the non-EU country's regulatory framework provides equivalent assurance of compliance.
Q. The EU already has mutual recognition agreements in place and is a member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-Operation
Scheme (PIC/S). Will these countries be automatically on the white list?
A. No. Non-EU countries must actively apply for an assessment by the EC before they can be added to the white list. Alternatively,
these countries could issue a certificate of equivalence. The issue with such a certificate is, however, that its acceptability
by the European authorities is uncertain.
The vast majority of APIs imported into the EU originate in China, India, USA, Japan, and Switzerland. So far, only Switzerland
is on the white list; Japan is considering applying for white-listing; India considers issuing certificates; China's activities
are as yet unclear; and the US FDA has not started considering their options.
